‘Bigg Boss’: JD(S) links venue closure order to DK Shivakumar's ‘nut & bolt’ remark

Bengaluru: The KSPCB’s closure order against an amusement park hosting the Kannada version of popular TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ took a political turn on Wednesday, despite clarifications from authorities.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s (KSPCB) issued the closure order to Vels Studios and Entertainment Pvt Ltd (Ms Jolly Wood Studios and Adventures) located in Bidadi Industrial Area after issuing multiple notices since the inspection in March 2024.

The amusement park, where the ‘Big Boss’ studio was set up, was shut down on Tuesday late night.

The JD(S) accused Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of being vindictive towards the film industry by recalling his statement that he “knows how to tighten their nuts and bolts”.

Dubbing Shivakumar as ‘nut-and-bolt minister,’ the JD(S) said in a statement, “You’ve closed Bigg Boss set under the pretext of rule violations. In the same way, when will you close potholes?”. 

The ‘nut bolt’ remark was interpreted as a reference to a statement D K Shivakumar made earlier this year that the “nuts and bolts” of celebrities who are not supporting state-related issues need to be “tightened” a bit.

Give them a chance: DyCM

Shivakumar brushed aside the charges and said, “I had inaugurated the facility (studio). I have told the (Bengaluru South) Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police that employment is important. Whatever is the (violation), give them an opportunity,” he said.

KSPCB chief unrelenting 

KSPCB chairman P M Narendra Swamy, however, noted the deputy commissioner had no such powers.

“D K Shivakumar has not spoken to me. I am hearing about his remarks through mediapersons. He might have responded to popular opinion. We have issued a closure order to nudge the company to correct themselves. This is neither a permanent closure order nor does it relate to Bigg Boss,” he said.

Swamy said closure orders had been issued to 152 units that had failed to comply with environmental rules.

“I can’t treat one case as a special category. Also, it’s not an individual’s decision. There is a committee which looks into the matter and acts against violations,” he said.